RVP - Messi comparison baffles Arsenal fans

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was sky high after the Gunners' 3 - 0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, but many Arsenal fans thought he had his head in the clouds after he compared his star striker Robin van Persie to two time FIFA World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi.

The Gunners fans were reacting to comments made by the Frenchman about Van Persie's style of play. He said: "I see similarities, positional-wise, with Messi. He likes to come deep and he likes to turn up… When you look at his movement around the box it is very intelligent because he goes on the diagonal runs very well… his first touch is so good in a small space…"

Sridhar Nagaraj scoffed at the comments: "Looks like Wenger has lost his sanity. Arsenal needs to set up a fund to take care of his treatment bills."

Richard Keogh was slightly kinder but equally baffled by the Arsenal manager's words: "Arsene, I love you, but that's just plain delusional. Maybe it's a spelling mistake and he meant that RVP is just messy!"

Andrew Aguero added: "I support Arsenal, but don't go overboard. He is good, but not that good."

Some were a bit more forgiving of the 61-year-old's comments. Ayotunde Olusegun Ogunkunle was measured: "I read the article and think Wenger only compared the movement of both players and he also said they are both not a striker."

Matthew Eley said: "Van Persie is a world class striker, one of the best. . . Messi is a phenomenon! He's the best player on this planet."

But others agreed that their was a resemblance between the two players, despite the Dutchman standing almost half a foot taller than his Argentine counterpart. Many pointed out that Messi has the advantage of the Barcelona team backing him up.

Diegoo Andres said: "RVP has better definition correctness in the area. Also he doesn't have a Barcelona to help him. RVP is a great player with different features."

Tuan Anh Hoang agreed: "Messi needs Iniesta and Xavi to be the best. But, obviously, RVP doesn't and he is still the best."

Reid Atkinson went one further: "Messi is amazing, but if RVP was with Barca he would have more goals than games played."

Armin Preljevic added: "Persie has the stronger finish. No one can beat that."

OneofaKind Gaby pointed out the Dutchman's height is an advantage: "Maybe he sees Robin is taller and has a good heading ability."

Tom Merrp Proudley saw a valuable similarity: "They're both class with their left foot."

But Mick Almond was struggling to see the likeness: "Er, well they both have dark hair. Trying to think of another!"

Nazmi Rahman-Carew thought the Arsenal manager had a motive in praising the striker who has been with the club for seven years. He said: "Wenger… is talking up RVP so that he signs a new contract when it expires at the end of next season."

Prince Success urged the 28-year-old to stay with the club: "You have to get new contract for Arsenal, that's the best team for you trust me."

How can you turn down advice from someone with a name like that? Arsenal fans will be hoping for more success when they host Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday, but will Robin van Persie score again?

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